3D solar structures from MIT that can work just as well in cloudy weather

A team over at MIT have recently found a way to make solar panels work just as efficiently in cloudy weather as they do under a clear sky. Instead of just using flat panels that only obtain the most energy when the sun is directly above them, the team has come up with 3D solar structures that are capable of collecting sunlight from all around them (i.e. ambient light) instead of from just one direction;which means in less than ideal conditions, the structures can collect almost as much light as they do on a sunny day.

In addition to being better at collecting sunlight, the 3D solar structures can also be shaped interestingly, which makes for nicer looking creations that can even be tourist attractions. Check out a video about the 3D solar structure from ABC’s “This Could Be Big” to learn more about it: